Busy Mama Sews!: One Mama Sweat Shop

With six people in our family, someone always wants or needs something made. I figured out a way to easily have several projects going at once without getting all messed up.

This weekend we went to Iowa to watch my cousin, who plays for the Montana Grizzlies, play football. None of my kids' Griz shirts from previous seasons fit, so I needed to make them new ones. In order to not look too cult like with the kids all matchy I wanted to make them different styles. The boys ended up getting the same style shirt, but its HARD to find variety when sewing for boys! I also had some other projects to get done, so I knew I was going to be a busy mama for a few days!

Here's a look at my process:

I have to take everything one stage at a time. Sometimes all I can do is one stage a day.'

The first step of any project is fabric selection and cutting. I will haul out all my fabric for my chosen projects, and get out the necessary patterns to get down to work. *If I have not printed or assembled my pattern yet I typically will do this the night before after the kids are all in bed.*

Here I have all my projects cut. I am making a Grandpa Cardi, 2 Sleep Sacks, 2 5k tees, a Janey Jump Around Dress, a Flora Top, a pair of Max Joggers, and 2 pairs of Bonny Legs. *I will list links at the bottom of this post so you can make your own :)*

Before I start sewing anything up I will prioritize the projects. For these ones I started with the cardigan, because I was doing it as part of a sew-a-long. Then I moved onto the sleep sacks and 5k tees since I had 2 of each to make. I saved the Bonny Legs for last because they weren't an actual NEED. Then I moved onto the dress, since I hadn't made one yet and it seemed difficult. Flora after that since it is a dolman and very easy.

The cardigan kicked my butt! So many pieces! I think I over complicated it a bit too. It took my 2 days to complete it considering I only get to sew during nap times, so not too bad.

My lovely photographer, Lena, was playing with the neighbors, so Bobby had to take the pictures for me. His pictures tend to always make me look crazy like I escaped the looney bin and stole an old lady's sweater on my way out. The cardigan looks, fits, and feels great, despite my disheveledness!

The Sleep Sacks I modified to not have zippers, but instead snapping shoulder straps. The only reason behind that is because I didn't have any super long zippers on hand. Talk about an easy sew! I'm sure they will be more difficult with the zipper, but that's only because zippers are the devil... I will be sharing pictures once I know they work!

Making 2 or more of the same pattern is typical for me, whether it is because the twins are getting the same style outfit, or the boys and girls are getting matching style outfits. When I do more than one at a time I will do the first step on each item, followed by the second step on each, and so on. Assembly line! This makes it pretty quick to crank out projects.

Moving onto the 5k tees. I chose to color block them, which I have only done once before, so it was nice to have an easy project between the cardigan and the tees. The good news is that they went together pretty easily. The only problem I ran into was my bobbin coming undone, so there is a loopy hem on one of Max's sleeves. I don't think he will notice... These were fun to make, despite the challenge, because I got to try something new. Faux layered sleeves! Perfect for football season!

Miss Madelynn's Janey Jump Around looked a lot more challenging in the directions than it actually was. Probably would have been even easier if I didn't attempt to sew it up with all the kids home and running around. The first step went well, then I sewed the neckband to the wrong side!! Seam ripping is a big part of learning. Mistakes happen, no big deal. HOWEVER, seam ripping a three step zig-zag/overcast stitch, is the WORST! It took me an hour to rip that sucker out! Once I got it all ripped and then sewn to the correct side the dress went together very easily. I am pleased with how it turned out.

I mentioned that the Flora was a dolman earlier. That means that the sleeves are attached, and not separate pieces sewn on later. The sleeves are typically wider on a dolman than those with separate sleeves.

When I first saw this pattern I knew it would be one that Lena would love. It is a women's pattern, but she can fit in the XS! I chose to make her the tunic length, because she hates wearing jeans and would prefer to be in leggings all the time. The concept of leggings-are-not-pants is not one she chooses to wrap her brain around. Tunics and dresses are the best options for her to keep her booty covered!

The Flora took me no time to sew up. It probably took about 30 minutes start to finish. It was so easy, and I love the style of it! Making one for myself is already in my mental sewing queue.

Next up is Max Joggers for Mr. Max. these are a wonderfully fast sew.

Once I finished all of these projects I still had 3 days before we were leaving for Iowa, so I got to making the leggings for the girls.

I am borrowing a serger from my neighbor, and I hadn't gotten to use it yet. Leggings were the most logical first project! An hour figuring out how to thread it, and half a day working on the tension, I was ready to go!

Bonny Legs go together the same as the Peg Legs we made earlier. Nice and quick, especially with a serger! Madelynn's took me maybe 5 minutes! Since they were so quick, I had to hurry up and cut myself out some too. I couldn't let the girls be the only ones with new leggings!

Lena's have a black waistband because I used a fabric with high spandex content for the waist. The gray fabric on hers have no spandex in them. If I had used the gray fabric for the waistband they would have just stretched out and fallen off.

Last step before heading to Iowa was to draw on the Griz shirts. I cannot draw well, but I made a great attempt!